Skill, Kindness Lead Liberty to Success

By
KBJR News 1

July 24, 2013Updated Jul 24, 2013 at 10:01 PM CST

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- Duluth, Minn. native Sue Liberty presents somewhat of a catch-22 on the golf course --- everyone wants to play with based on personality, and no one wants to play with her based on skill.

"I started golfing thanks to my Dad," said Liberty. "When I was 12 years old, he had just joined out here at Northland. He brought me out, and I just took to the game."

It was a passion for Liberty that continued well past her childhood years.

"I played on the high school team at East," said Liberty. "I was fortunate enough to play on the University of Minnesota golf team for four years."

Following her Division I collegiate career, Liberty went on to become a local legend at Northland Country Club.

"If you walk through the clubhouse and see her name everywhere, it's such a great story to tell," said head professional Jennifer Webster. "Because she plays so competitively not only here, but across the entire state, so many golfers look up to her. It's fantastic."

Liberty has won nine times in the Northland Ladies Invitational, something she, at age 12, never even dreamed about.

"I thought just to win it once would be great, and it's been a tremendous source of pride to say nine times," said Liberty. "I can't even believe it actually."

"It's absolutely fantastic that she has nine," said fellow former Gopher Paige Bromen. "That number to me just seems pretty impossible."

Bromen herself has won the past two Invitational titles and played in the final group this year with Liberty. She says on the course, very few match Sue's skill or her class.

"Sue's an absolute saint," said Bromen of Liberty. "I've never seen her upset on the golf course, and she's always super encouraging."

That's just Liberty's way, even if putts like her 35-footer on 18 to close out this year's tournament don't drop for her as much as they used to.

"It's that one good shot," said Liberty. "You usually have more good shots than bad shots in golf, so it's that one good one that keeps you coming back. That will be my memory of this Invitational."